Pressleys big hit

Chest-thumping captain Steven Pressley will try to use previous European losses as a spur to catapult Hearts into the last 32 of the Uefa Cup, writes Neil White

The image has become iconic. Steven Pressley, marching through a continental evening, the jersey of his vanquished opponents in his clenched fist. He embraces his manager before saluting the delirious band of Hearts fans who have made the journey. It could be Bordeaux, Braga or Basel. The brisk bearhug could engulf Craig Levein or John Robertson. A moment captured, but the achievement is fragile. What matters is what happens next against Ferencvàros.

“I don’t want any hard-luck stories. We’re here to qualify. This group of players is not satisfied with simply being involved. Regardless of how fantastic a performance and result we got in Bordeaux, we failed to progress and we don’t want a similar scenario.” Pressley is as wilful off the park as he is on it, but that may not be enough to see Hearts through the group stages to the last 32 of the Uefa Cup.